Grading machine



Feb. 19 924.

M. HOFER GRADING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet l M. HOFERGRADING MACHINE" Feb. 19 1924.

Filed Nov. 1:5. 1922 2 SheetsShei 2 Patented Feb. 19, 1924.

MICHAEL HOFER, or DEAN LAKE, MINNESOTA.

GRADING MACHINE.

Application filed November 13, 1922. Serial 'No. 600,605.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that MICHAEL Hornn, a citizen of the United States, residingat Dean Lake, in the county of Crow Wing and State r of Minnesota, hasinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Grading Machines, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in grading machines andhas relation more particularly to a device of this general characterespecially designed and adapted for use in connection with grain anditis an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved deviceof this general character comprising a rotary grading or tion to providea novel and improved device of this general character embodying agrading element together with outlets to receive the graded or separatedmaterial discharged from the element, said outlets be ing adjustable onewith respect tothe other and with respect to the grading element tocompensate for the adjustment of the grading element. v

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device of thisgeneral character comprising'a rotary grading element of a cylindricaltype together with a hopper to initially receive material to be gradedand wherein a conveyor is provided to carry the material to be gradedfrom the hopper within the receiving end portion of the grading element.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and an rangement of the several parts of my improved gradingmachine whereby certain important advantages are attained and the devicerendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient andadvantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. 1

The novel features of hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, 1 will nowproceed to my invention will describe the same with reference to thea'ccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sec:-

tional ,view with parts in elevation of a grading machine constructed inaccordance with an embodiment of my invention, the

shaft for adjusting the outlets being slightly distorted for clarity indisclosure and a means to eifect'an adjustment of the grad ing. elementbeing shown applied;

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 22 ofFigure 1;

Figure 3 is fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on the line33 of Fig- J c Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of thestructure shown in Figure3; Figure 5 is'an enlarged fragmentarysectional view illustrating one of the holding or looking members in aninoperative position to permit an adjustment of the grading element; I I

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in top plan of the wrench or toolengageable with the screening element to effect an adjust- 1,

ment thereofyand Y 1 Figure? is a fragmentary View intop plan of theportion of the structure herein comprised with which is engaged theoperating member or lever for the wrench or tool fragmentarilyillustratedin Figure 6.

As disclosedin the accompanying .drawings, H denotes a'housingopen atits top and having its bottom wall 1 disposed transversely on a downwardincline, the portion a of the front wall 2 of the housing H immediatelyadjacent the lower portion of the body 1 of the housing is cut out toprovide an elongated opening t extending substantially theentire lengthof the housing H, M I

The portion of the wall 2 immediately above the opening 4; isstrengthened or reinforced by the bar 5 extending lengthwise of thehousing H and suitably securedthereto.

The upper or'open end of the housing H is reinforced by the frame '6arranged eXtev riorly of the housing H and suitably secured; thereto.Each end portion of the frame-F isoutwardly offset to provide a bearing7.

adjacent end wall 9 of the housing Hjsup ports a cylindrical casing 10concentric to the shaft-8. This casing lOis non-rotatable and has itsouter end 11 closed while the opposite end portion is open and extend amaterial distance inwardly of the housing H. Theportion of the shaft 8within the casing 10 carries a spiral blade 12 which'upon requisiterotation of the shaft 8 serves to carry the material delivered-"withinthe casing 10 inwardly of the housing H. y p

' Supported by the casing 10 exteriorly of the hous-ingI-I is anupstanding hopper 1 4 in communication from above with the casinglOAQThe grainor the like to be graded is initially delivered within thehopper 14.

Fixed to the shaft 8 at predetermined points spaced longitudinallythereof are the hubs l5 andl6. The hub'l5 is positioned inwardly of theinner or open end of the casing 10 but in relatively close proximitythereto and has extending outwardly therefrom the arms 17, said armsbeing inclined toward the adjacent end 9 of the housing H so that thecasing 10 willoffer no hindrance or obstruction to the rotation of theshaft 8 by contact with the armslT. The extremities of the ar'ms 17 havesecured thereto an annular member 18 concentric to the casing l0 and theshaft 8 and'which rotates with the shaft 8. The outer face of the member18 has secured theretothe annular plate 19,

the casing 10 being disposed snugl through the'central opening of saidplate'19 whereby said plate serves as a guard" to prevent "passageof'any matter through the central opening of themember18; v

The hub 16 has radiating therefrom the 'arms'20 to the'outer extremitiesof which is secured a second annular member 21. 1nterposed between themembers 18 and 21 are the looking or holding members M; the extremitiesof which being provided with'th'e trunnions' 22 which "freely disposedthrough themembers 18 and'2land threaded upon the trunnions 22and-coacting with the" members '18 and21 are the clamping nuts 23whereby the members M are held against rotation about their axes, theloosen- -'ing or the nuts 23, however, permitting the coiled strand-ofmaterial whereby theelement E may be longitudinally expandedorcontracted as the occasions of'practi'c-emay prefer. @n'e en'd port'ion'of the strand comprised in the peripheral Wall of the element neates E is fixed to the member 18 while the opposite end convolution ofsaid strand is threaded through and held bythe outer extremities 'ofthe'arms 24 radiating from a hub 25 freely mounted on the shaft 8. Theconvolutions comprised in the peripheral wall of the element E at'the'receiving end thereof and for substantially one-third of the lengthof the element are closely related while the convolutions in theintermediate third of the element are spaced apart less closely whilethe remaining convolutions at the de livery end of the element arespaced further apart.

My machine as herein disclosed is particularly intended for use inconnection with the grading of grain and as the grain comes from thethresher it is delivered within the hopper 1e and from there dischargedin the casing 10. As the shaft 8 rotates the spiral 12 will convey thegrain into the receiving end portion of the element E. The convolutionsof the element E at the receiving end portion permits the foul seed tobe readily separated while the spacing of the intermediate convolutionsof the element E permits a separation of the quaclred and very smallgrain. The spacing of the convolution of the element E at the deliveryend thereof effect a separation of the medium grain while the full growngrain passes out of the delivery end of the element E.

Any means may be employed for rotating the shaft 8 but as hereindisclosed I fix to the shaft 8, exteriorly of the housing H and remotefrom the hopper H, the pulley P adapted to be coupled in a well knownmanner to asuitable source of power.

'By expanding on contracting the element E longitudianlly the variousspacing of the convolutions may be increased or decreased as requiredand the inherent reripheral wall of the element E serves to effectautomatically a contraction of the element but'in order to expand suchelement necessary pull must be imposed thereon.

As herein disclosed the expansion of the element E is effected throughthe instrumentality of the wrench or tool W and the lever L. The wrenchW comprises an elongated member provided witha forked head 26, the arms.of which being provided with jaws 27. The wrench or'tool W is disposedinwardly through the pulley? and member'2l with the jaws 27 engaged withthe head 25. When the wrench or tool W is thus applied the end portionremote from the jaws 27 extends outwardly beyondthe pulle P and said endportion of the wrench or tool W is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced openings 28 providing means whereby the wrench ortool may have adjustable connection with the lever .L through theinstrumentality of the outstand- 4 siliency of the strand comprised inthe peing pin 29 carried by said lever. An end portion of the lever L isbifurcated as at 30 to straddle from above a pin 31 connecting theoutstanding ears 32 carried by the bearing 7 adjacent to the pulley P.By imposing pull upon the upper portion of the lever L the element E maybe readily expanded to comply with the requirements of practice andafter the desired adjustment of the element E has been effected thenotches b which are adapted to receive the convolutions of theperipheral wall of the element E whereby the element E is effectivelymaintained in desired adjustment with the convolutions of the element Emaintained in fixed relative spaced relation. The notches, b of oneseries of a member a are staggered with relation to the notches of theremaining series whereby upon requisite rotation of a member M theconvolutions of the peripheralwall of the element E in their differentadjustments may be received within a series of notches 6.

Before the element E is expanded or contracted each of the members a isadjusted to free the convolutions of the element E therefrom with a fiatface of such member opposed to the element E. With such adjustment ofeach of the -members M the convolutions of the element E have free andunobstructed longitudinal movement.

Disposed lengthwise through the housing H at a point below but inrelatively close proximity to the element E is a shaft 33 rotatablysupported by the end walls of the housing H, one end portion of saidshaft being extended and provided with a hand wheel 34 or the likewhereby requisite rotation may be imparted to the shaft .33. The shaft33 is stepped as herein disclosed, in a manner to provide three threadedportions as, y and e, the threads of each of said portions being ofdifferent pitches. Each of the portions 012, y and z of the shaft 33 isthreaded through a vertically disposed partition 35 which is of suchconfiguration to snugly bridge the lower forward portion of the housingbetween the bottom wall 1-, the front wall 2 and the element E.- Thepartitions 35 are adapted to be so spaced apart to provide compartmentspositioned below the element E with said compartments underlying thesections of the elementas afforded by the different spacings of the convvolutions of the element By this arrangement it will bereadilyunderstoodv that the foul seed which is first separated from thegrain will be received within the first compartment, the quack and smallgrain will be received in the intermediate com partment and the mediumgrain will be received within the inner compartment.

As the element E is expanded or contracted as required the, shaft 33 isrotated to effect a corresponding adjustment of the partitions 35 and onaccount of the different spacings of the convolutions of the element Ethe partitions 35 of necessity must be moved different distancesandwhich action is compensated for by having the portions w, y and a of theshaft 33 of different pitches with the greater pitch at the innerportion z.

The outer partition 35 at itslower marginal portion is provided with anoutstanding table or shelf 36 which is substantially H and therebyserves as the bottom of the compartment which receives the foul, seed.This table or shelf 36 freely extends beneath the inwardly anddownwardly inclined plate 37 carried by the adjacent end wall 9 of thehousing H to facilitate the discharge of the foul seed through theoutlet spout 38. The outlet spout 38 is carried by an upstanding plate39 positioned at the lower and forward end portion of the table or shelf36, said spout 38 extending outwardly through the elongated opening 4hereinbefore referred to.

The outer partition 35 at its lower portion is provided with anoppositely directed table or shelf 40 which underlies a table or shelf41 carried by the intermediate partition 35, the lower portion of saidtable or shelf 41 being disposed upwardly and forwarding as at 42 toguide vor deflect the quack and very small grain received within theintermediate compartment toward the outlet spout 43. The spout 43 alsoextends outwardly through the opening 4 and is carried by an upstandingplate 44 arranged at the lower or forward end portion of the table 40. ts

The intermediate partition 35 is provided with a second table or shelf45 which is disposed inwardly of the inner compart: ment and underlies atable or shelf 46 carried by the inner partition 35, the lower forwardvend portion of the table 45 being alsodisclosed as on an upward inclineas at 4'2. This inclined portion 47 serves to de flect or guide themedium grain received within the inner compartment toward the outletspout 48. This spout 48 extends through the opening 4 and is carried byan platform 45.

The intermediate partition its forward end is also provided with avertically Y 85 in contact with the bottom 1 of the housing disposedplate50 which overlies the $3 cent portion of the'plate 44 so that whenthe partitions 35 are moved'one relative to the other there will be noopen spaces between the plate 44 and said intermediate partitiOh 35. j f

The inner partition is provided ,at its lower portionwith a chute 51which isdisposed beyond, but immediately adjacent to the inner ordischarge end of the element E to .receive the full grown graindelivered from the inner or .open end of the element This chute 51extends through the opening {to effect a desired discharge of the'fullgrown grain.

C denotes a box cover hingedly connected as at 52 with the upper portionof the housing H or more particularly to the frame 6. This cover C whenin closedposition is disposed'over the element E whereby the element Eis entirely enclosed and the indiscriminate scattering of dust and thelike prevented. g It is to be understood that if preferred the element Emay be disposed on a slight taper from the receiving end toward thedelivery end so that the'grain therein may be subjected to -a rollingaction to facilitate the desired separation.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious thata'grading machine constructed in accordance with my invention isparticularly well adapted foruse by'reason of the convenience andfacility with which it may be assembled and oper ated, and it will alsobe obvious that my invention is susceptible of somev change andmodification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof.and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself tothe precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shownin carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

1 claim:

1. A grading machine comprising in combination a separating element,partitions positioned below said element to provide chambers to receivematerial separated by the element, and means common to all .of thepartitions for relatively adjusting the partitions. V

2. A grading machine comprising in combination a separating element,partitions p0 sitioned below said element to. provide chambers toreceive material separated by the element, means common to all of thepartitions for relatively adjustingthe. partitions, and a dischargespout carried by each of the partitions and movable there with. v

3. A grading machine comprising incombination a separating element,partitiOnsp'O- sitioned below said element to. provide chambers toreceive material separated by the element, means common to all of thepartitions for relatively adjusting-the partition's,-and' a chutecarried b y -oneof said partitions-beyond an-end ofthe element, and uponwhich said element discharges.

4. A'grading machine-comprisingin combination "a separatin element,partitions positioned below 'said'elein'ent to provide chambers: to.receive material-separated by theelem-ent, and means for effecting aunitary relative adjustment ofthe partitions.

' 5. A grading mac'hine comprising incoinbination a separating element,partitions positioned below said element to provide chambers to, receivematerial separated, by the element, and'means for effecting *a unitaryrelativeadjustment of the partitions, said means ,during" an adjustmentof the partitionsmoving the partitions different distances.

:6. ,Agra-ding machine comprising a shaft, means for rotatingtheisame, apair of'rnembers surrounding the shaftand spacedapart longitudinallythereof,means for connecting. each of said members to theshaft forrotation therewith, a member slidably' mounted upon the'shaftbetweenthetwo-first named members, a coiled member surrounding the shaft andterminally connected to one of the first named members. and tothesliding member, movement ofthelast named member lengt-hwise of "theshaft increasing or decreasing the spaces between the convolutions ofthe coiled member, elongated members interposed between androtatablysupported by the first named members. said elongated membersbeing provided with out standing notched flanges, said elongated memberswhen in one position being free at the coiled member,--theconvolutionsof the coiled "member being engaged within the notches oftheflanges of the elongated memberszwhen said elongatedmembers are in asecond position whereby the coiled member is locked against expansion'or contraction. 7. 7A grading :machine comprising a shaft, means for"rotating the same, a pair of members surrounding the shaft and spacedapart longitudinally thereof, means for connectingeachfof said membersto the-shaft for rotation'ztherewi th, a memberslidably, mounted uponthe shaftf between the two first'named members, a coiled membersurrounding the shaft and terminally connected to one of the first namedmembers and. to the sliding'member, movement of the last namedgmemberlengthwise of the shaft increasing or "decreasing the-spaces between theconvolutions of the coiled member, elongated members interposed betweena and rotatably supported bythe first named members; each of" saidelongated membersbeing provided with a plurality of circumferentiallyspacedand longitudinally disposed outstanding notched flangeaj saidelongated members when in one position being free of the coiled member,the convolutions of the coiled member being engaged within the notchesof the flanges of the elongated members when said elongated members arein a second position whereby the coiled member is locked againstexpansion or contraction.

8. A grading machine comprising a shaft means for rotating the same, apair of members surrounding the shaft and spaced apart longitudinallythereof, means for connecting each of said members to the shaft forrotation therewith, a member slidably mounted upon the shaft between thetwo first named members, a coiled member surrounde ing the shaft andterminally-connected to one of the first named members and to thesliding member movement of the last named member lengthwise of the shaftincreasing or decreasing the spaces between the convolutions of thecoiled member, elongated members interposed between and rotatablysupported by the first namedmembers, each of said elongated membersbeing provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced andlongitudinally disposed outstanding notched flanges, said elongatedmembers when in one position being free of the coiled member, theconvolutions of the coiled member being engaged within the notches ofthe flanges of the elongated members when said elongatedmembers are in asecond position whereby the coiled member is locked against expansion orcontraction, the notches of the ing the shaft and terminally connectedto one of the first named members and to the sliding member, movement ofthe last named member lengthwise of the shaft increasing or decreasingthe spaces between the convolu tions of the coiled member, elongatedmembers interposed between and rotatably supported by the first namedmembers, each of said elongated members being provided with a pluralityof circumferentially spaced and longitudinally disposed outstandingnotched flanges, said elongated members when in one position being freeof the coiled member, the

convolutions of the coiled member being engaged within the notches ofthe flanges of the elongated members when said elongated members are ina second position whereby the coiled member is locked against expansionor contraction, and means for locking the elonv gated members againstrotation.

In testimony whereof Ihereunto aflix my signature. v

MICHAEL HOFER.

